Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (53 page)

“Mia, how long have you been a patient of Dr. Cole’s?” asked Dr. Winslow.

“Um…” I thought about it, turning in my seat to see Richard.

He gave me a wink that this was going well.

I turned back to face them, forcing myself to make eye contact with Dr. Winslow.

Cameron’s head was bowed, his eyes lowered.

“Mia?” Winslow drew me back to him.

“Sorry?” I said.

“How long have you been a client of Dr. Cole?”

“I was never one of Dr. Cole’s patients.”

“Excuse me?” said Winslow.

I raised my left hand in the air and flashed that blinding sapphire. “I’m his fiancé. We’re engaged to be married.”

Dr. Winslow frowned, his hands ruffling through his papers.

I poked into my handbag, pulled out my sunglasses, and put them on. “I mean look at that bling. It’s gorgeous.”

With my eyes concealed, these fine minds wouldn’t see my windows to the truth.

“I think there’s been some misunderstanding,” said Dr. Winslow, looking puzzled.

“I can only imagine,” I said. “And I think that’s where this rumor started. There are people out there envious of what Cameron and I have. We’ve never been happier.” I turned my hand around to admire the way the light caught the sapphire.  

I beamed at Cameron.

Cameron’s mouth gaped, but he quickly regained composure.

“Is this true?” asked Dr. Winslow.

“It is,” said Richard. “I can vouch for them. I’m Cole’s best friend.”

Cameron whispered into Dominic’s ear. Dominic motioned for Cameron to remain quiet.

More questions, a shuffling of papers. A slow kind of chaos unfolded all around. Some wore embarrassed expressions, while others were full of relief.

I was led away by Richard, out into the hallway.

He gave me a hug. “My little minx.”

“Think they believed me?” I whispered.

“Yes. Looks like it’s over.”

“What about Lance?”

“Cameron’s slapped him with a defamation lawsuit,” he said.

Henry came over and gave me a hug. “You had me scared there for a minute, Mia.”

“All I care about is that Cameron’s name is cleared,” I said.

“It is now,” said Henry, pointing to my ring. “Where did you get that shiner?”

“Borrowed it,” said Richard.  

Dominic and Cameron joined us in the hallway and I tried to read Cameron’s expression. Dominic still had a stunned look on his face.  

Cameron’s serenity had returned, but that frown he’d reserved for his brother hadn’t lifted.

“Escort her out,” whispered Richard, gesturing to me.

With my hand in Cameron’s, we stepped into the elevator and Richard and Henry joined us. Dominic still had some administration to do and stayed behind.

A few floors down, we all breathed a sigh of relief.

We walked out into the underground parking and all huddled in a corner.

“What was that?” snapped Cameron.

“Don’t start,” said Richard.

“She just lied to a panel of psychiatrists,” whispered Cameron, finally letting go of my hand.

“I didn’t take an oath,” I said. “No laws were broken.”

Henry turned to Cameron “Oh shut the fuck up, Cam.”

Cameron had never looked so frazzled.

“I hear you have a nice place in Venice Beach?” said Henry.

“I do,” said Cameron.

Henry smiled at him. “Perhaps you can teach me to surf?”  

Cameron swallowed hard.

“Or not,” said Henry.

“I’d love to,” said Cameron. “I mean…yes. Yes. Of course.”

“How about now?” said Henry.

Cameron blinked at him.  

“Let’s go buy me a board. Know a great surf shop?” Henry winked at me.

“Are you planning on taking over Cole Tea?” asked Richard.

Cameron flashed him an uneasy glance.

“Hell no,” said Henry. “But between Cam and I, I’m sure we can persuade Dad to let Willow run the empire. It’s time we had a woman in the driver’s seat. What do you say, Cole?”

“Quite agree,” said Cameron, his gaze drifting to mine. “We’ve underestimated her for quite some time. I’ve been such an ass.”

“Time to make up for it,” said Henry. “This surf shop better sell swimming trunks. Don’t want to put on a show for the locals.”

CHAPTER 48

THIS WOULD BE my first time visiting Palm Springs.

A perfect way to see in the New Year. We’d decided to celebrate it privately, just us two, and we’d booked a room at the Viceroy Hotel.

Driving along the Pacific Coast highway in Richard’s BMW, I took in the ocean view. I’d kicked off my shoes and now rested my bare feet with their pink painted toenails up on the dashboard. My hands rested in my lap to keep my short red summer dress from flying up. From all this sunshine, you’d never have guessed it was winter in Los Angeles.

Richard pushed the car into fifth gear.

“You were very brave yesterday,” he said. “All charges have been lifted and Cameron’s free to continue practicing medicine.”

“You were very kind,” I said. “Letting me see my plan through. I knew it would all turn out fine as long as I kept my nerve.”

“I’m glad that’s over,” he said.

“Me too.”

I imagined Cameron would be celebrating in his own way, dining on a fine meal in Paris, before heading off to check on his club in the Rive Gauche. I had no right to jealousy. Cameron deserved to be happy more than anyone.

It was easier not to linger there.

We drove off the highway and turned onto Montana Avenue. I looked over at him, wondering where we were heading. This was meant to be the scenic route.

“One stop,” he said, turning off the music.

Richard killed the engine.

We’d parked outside Bloomfield’s jewelry store. I realized Richard was returning the engagement ring.

He turned in his seat to look at me. “Is there something you’ve been keeping back from me, Mia?”

“How do you mean?”

He let out a long sigh. “You wrote to my dad?”

I broke his gaze.

“I got a letter from him.”

“What did he say?”

Richard looked solemn. “Some people never change, Mia. No matter how much you want them to. No matter how much we believe they can.”

“Is he going to do the right thing?”

He gave a shrug. “I vowed we’d never talk again.”

“I’m sorry. I really believed if he knew what an incredible man you are he’d change his ways. Maybe return those hidden funds. That way no one could threaten you ever again.”

Richard looked at me with sympathy.

“Did I mess up?’ I said.

“Your heart was in the right place. It always was and always will be. I’ll be right back.” He climbed out of the car and went inside.

It seemed I’d been holding my breath for the longest time, but at least Richard understood my motive. Maybe his father would come round one day and do the right thing.

I brought out my iPhone and shot off a text to Bailey, telling her I missed her and letting her know about my new adventure, and wanting to know about hers. Turning over my phone, I lovingly ran my fingers over Hello Kitty.

Richard came out of the store and lingered on the steps. He stared at something in his palm. His ocean blue gaze rose to greet me.

A few moments later and he’d hurried down and rejoined me in the car.

“Everything okay?” I said.

He stared dead ahead, his hand clutching something.

“What is that?” I said.

He opened his palm. “I got it fixed.”

My bracelet. The one Cameron had given me that first day I’d visited his house. The same one Richard had accidently snapped on the plane.

Cautiously, I looked up at him.

Richard fiddled with the catch, his fingers moving delicately over it before securing the bracelet back onto my left wrist. “It looks beautiful on you.”

“Thank you.” I twisted my arm and admired the sparkling diamonds. “It’s okay to keep it?”

“Cameron has wonderful taste,” he said. “But we already knew that.”

I gave a wary smile.

“Did you know there’s an engraving on it?”

“There is?” I peered down at the bracelet. “Really?”

He looked back at Bloomfield’s. “The store owner just told me. It’s actually invisible to the human eye. You can only see it through a jewel gem microscope.”

“What does it say?”

Richard brought out his cell and busied himself with a text. “Choose us some music.” He tucked his phone back into his pocket.

“Who did you text?” I asked.  

“I’m making sure when we get to our destination everything will be set.”

“That hotel’s lovely,” I said. “Can we go in the pool?”

“For you, anything.”

We pulled away from the curb and we headed back down Montana.

“Did we forget something?” I said.

“One more stop,” said Richard.

We were driving back along the Pacific Coast highway.

We were heading home.

Not that long ago I’d lived around here, with its long stretch of Malibu beach houses. One of which I’d rented for the lowest price ever, considering it was right on the sand. Though later, I’d discovered it belonged to Cameron.

My gaze shot to Richard’s when he parked outside the place I’d once called home. A cozy condo right on the beach.

“Why are we here?”

He turned the engine off and stared at his hands. “We’ve been lying to ourselves for far too long.”

Tears stung my eyes. “What are you saying?”

“I can’t.”

“Can’t what?” I stared at the bracelet. “Do you want me to take it off?”

His hand rested on mine. “You’re a crappy sub, Mia,” he said. “I’ve tried to get you to understand the kind of woman I need. I told you that the first day we were here. That I needed a well trained sub. This can’t come as a surprise?”

My throat constricted. “Are you…”

“Yes, I am.”

“But it’s New Year’s eve?” I said. “What about Palm Springs?”

“I refuse to go into another year lying to myself. Or lying to you.”

I swallowed my fear. “I’ll try harder.”

“It’s not that.”

“Is it because I wrote to your dad?”

“No, Mia. It’s got nothing to do with that.”

“Was it Hope’s visit that’s made you feel different?”

“Yes and no. It wasn’t exactly her, but it reminded me how much I gave up for Emily. How I compromised what I wanted. I know it sounds selfish, but you’re just not cutting it, Mia. In fact as far as a sub goes, you’re crap.”

I slapped my hand to my mouth.

“Please don’t,” he said. “You must know this? Your orgasm training was a disaster.”

“It wasn’t exactly easy,” I said. “Maybe I should go down on you five times a day and see how you don’t manage to come.”

He gave me a look of
I told you so
.

I slunk in the seat.

“I feel proud to have been part of the influence that’s seen you grow into such an incredible woman.”

“I can’t live without you,” I burst out.

“Yes, you will and can. You’ll thrive, Mia. You’ll find happiness and you’ll meet the one. Have babies and live happily ever after.”

“You don’t know that,” I said. “We were going to Palm Springs.” And then I realized. “Jasmine?”

“Take it or leave it, baby.” He gave a long sigh. “Though having a supermodel bow before me is quite the rush.”

Why did he have to say that?

He raised his hand in defense. “Nothing happened. I promise.”

“Are you going to take her on as your new sub?”

“Undecided,” he said. “She really needs someone right now.”

“You’re having an affair?”

“No, we’re not. I just want you to know I’m going to be okay, Mia. As are you. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I’m not like Cameron. I don’t have a knack for words.”

“You do. I love the way you talk.” Drawing strength from his hand on mine, I knew he was right. I’d fallen in love with the idea of him, with his confidence, his kindness, his desire to protect me, and with a life that promised to rescue me from mine.

Staring at that Malibu Beach house, I wondered if it still had all the old furnishings. I’d enjoyed living there, even though it hadn’t lasted that long.

“Is this goodbye?” I said, holding back an ugly cry.